System and method for high pressure delivery of gas-supersaturated fluids

ABSTRACT

A system and method for generating a gas-supersaturated fluid and delivering the fluid at high delivery pressures to thereby prevent bubble nucleation is disclosed. The system comprises a housing for containing a removable fluid assembly for housing a fluid to be gas-supersaturated and a drive assembly for delivering the fluid to a delivery site. The housing assembly comprises a cylinder and a piston which may be advanced along the inner surface of the cylinder to pressurize and to deliver the fluid. To generate a gas-supersaturated fluid, the housing assembly is removed from the system housing, filled with a fluid, and gas is introduced at or slightly above the desired gas partial pressure into the cylinder. To deliver the gas-supersaturated fluid, the fluid assembly is returned to the system housing and the drive assembly advances the piston to increase the hydrostatic pressure to the desired delivery pressure and, after opening a valve, to deliver the gas-supersaturated fluid at the desired high delivery pressure to a delivery site.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/467,673, filed on Dec. 21, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,754 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/200,608, filed on Nov. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,357, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/915,531, filed on Aug. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,838, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for the generation and delivery of high pressure gas-supersaturated fluids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for generating a gas-supersaturated fluid and delivering the fluid at high pressures without bubble formation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art infusion devices have been developed for drug delivery, angiographic dye injection and precision fluid infusion. In general, such infusion devices only support small delivery volumes (approximately 60 cc) at low (for example, less than 20 psi) to medium (for example, up to 1000 psi) delivery pressures.

A system and method capable of delivering-a large volume of fluid at an accurate delivery rate may be desirable, for example, for enriching blood with an oxygen-supersaturated solution to provide regional or systemic support to a patient. Another application of oxygen supersaturated fluid would be delivery downstream of a balloon angioplasty site, such as by perfusion guidewire, to reduce or prevent localized ischemia. For delivery and infusion of gas-supersaturated fluids, such as an oxygen supersaturated solution, a high delivery pressure (for example, 4,000 psi) may be desirable to prevent bubble nucleation or formation. An example of a system for delivering gas supersaturated fluids without bubble formation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,296. When fluid is delivered at high pressures, it is also desirable to provide a safety mechanism for terminating fluid delivery when the delivery pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

In order to deliver the fluid at a desired volume delivery rate and/or to deliver a desired total volume of the fluid, it is also desirable to provide accurate control of the delivery rate and thus accurate control of the total fluid volume delivered.

In spite of recent advances in the art, for example the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,296, there remains a need in the art for a fluid delivery system and method for generating and accurately delivering a large volume of gas-supersaturated fluid. There remains a further need in the art for a system capable of generation and delivery of gas-supersaturated fluid at high delivery pressures in order to prevent or minimize bubble nucleation and formation upon infusion into a patient. There remains yet a further need in the art for a fluid delivery system and method for providing a safety mechanism to protect patients and operators by interalia, terminating the fluid delivery if the delivery pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. There remains yet a further need in the art for a fluid delivery system and method for accurate control of the delivery rate and pressure and thus accurate control of the total fluid volume delivered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention meet the foregoing needs by providing a system and method for generating a large volume of gas-supersaturated fluid and delivering the fluid to a fluid delivery device at specified fluid delivery rates and at high delivery pressures to prevent bubble nucleation.

The fluid delivery system of the present invention comprises a system housing for containing a removable fluid housing assembly and a drive mechanism assembly. The removable fluid housing assembly comprises a cylindrical fluid housing and a piston which travels along the inner surface of the fluid housing.

The fluid housing assembly is first removed from the system housing and filled with a fluid. The fluid in the fluid housing assembly is supersaturated by introducing a gas at or slightly above the desired gas partial pressure of the fluid. The fluid housing assembly is then returned to the system housing and the drive mechanism assembly advances the piston to increase the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the fluid housing until the desired delivery pressure is obtained.

Use of the fluid housing for both generating and delivering the gas-supersaturated fluid simplifies the system configuration by eliminating additional components and also simplifies the method for generating and delivering the gas-supersaturated fluid by eliminating the step of transporting the fluid from one fluid housing to another. Generating and delivering the gas-supersaturated fluid in a single fluid housing also greatly minimizes the issues of corrosion of the fluid housing, contamination of the fluid and bubble nucleation in the fluid.

After the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the fluid housing reaches the desired delivery pressure, the gas-supersaturated fluid is delivered through a fluid output tubing for delivery of the fluid to a desired delivery site. For fluid delivery to a patient, for example, a hollow perfusion guide wire or other appropriate delivery device is connected to one end of the fluid output tubing. The fluid delivery rate is controlled and can range from 1 ml/hr to greater than 3,000 ml/hr.

The system of the present invention provides a compact system for generation and delivery of gas-supersaturated solutions in a configuration and size very similar to conventional infusion pumps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a high pressure infusion system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the high pressure infusion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a fluid assembly of the high pressure infusion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fluid assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fluid assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of a high pressure infusion system with an alternative embodiment of a fluid assembly;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate exemplary piston assembly of the high pressure infusion system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the high pressure infusion system of FIG. 1 showing a drive system;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of the high pressure infusion system of FIG. 1 showing a main bearing and a piston pusher, and a piston pusher anti-rotation plate;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the high pressure infusion system of FIG. 1 showing a user interface; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a separate support and jack used in fluid processing according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The structure and function of the preferred embodiments can be best understood by reference to the drawings. Where the same reference numerals appear in multiple figures, the numerals refer to the same or corresponding structure in those figures.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, high pressure fluid delivery system 10 of the present invention generally comprises fluid assembly 20 for generating and holding a fluid to be gas-supersaturated and delivered, and drive assembly 30 for delivering the gas-supersaturated fluid from the fluid assembly at a high delivery pressure. Fluid and drive assemblies 20, 30 are mounted in housing 40 with fluid assembly 20 being removable as explained below.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, fluid assembly 20 comprises cylinder 50, piston 52, cylinder output fitting 58, housing output tubing 54 and output manifold 56. Housing output tubing 54 connects fitting 58 to manifold input port 60. Manifold 56 monitors the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in cylinder 50. Cylinder 50 is preferably made of a corrosion resistant and strong material, such as titanium. In order to ensure smooth travel of piston 52 within cylinder 50, the interior surface of cylinder 50 is preferably smooth.

Piston 52, as shown in FIGS. 7, comprises high pressure seal 62, guide ring 64, fluid and gas introduction barrier 66 and port 68. High pressure seal 62 prevents undesired escape of gas and/or fluid from the cylinder. High pressure seal 62 is preferably U-shaped such that seal 62 is at least partially forced against the inner surface of cylinder 50 by the pressure of the gas and/or fluid within cylinder 50. Thus, an increase in the pressure of the gas and/or fluid within cylinder 50 increases the sealing force exerted by seal 62 against the inner surface of cylinder 50 and thereby resulting in a stronger seal.

A trocar or other suitable cannula is inserted into port 68 for the introduction of fluid and gas into cylinder 50 through introduction barrier 66. Introduction barrier 66 is preferably a manually operated ball valve such that a seal is maintained after the cannula is removed from port 68, especially for hydrostatic pressures approximately 500 psi or higher. See FIG. 7. Alternatively, for hydrostatic pressures approximately 500 psi or less, introduction barrier 66 may be made of a medical grade silicon rubber (not shown in FIG. 7; see FIGS. 1-3) such that a seal is maintained when pierced by the cannula during the introduction of fluid and gas into cylinder 50.

Piston 52 may also provide threaded annular recess 67. Threaded annular recess 67 allows for attachment of a piston handle (not shown) to facilitate movement of piston away from fitting 58 and to facilitate removal of piston 52 from cylinder 50, especially when the contents of the cylinder are not pressurized. Removal of piston 52 may desirable, for example, to clean interior surfaces of cylinder 50.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, fluid assembly 20 also includes disposable and replaceable fluid container 70 within cylinder 50. Preferably, cylinder 50 is hinged along a curved surface for ease of inserting disposable container 70 into and removing disposable container 70 out of cylinder 50. Disposable container 70 provides output port 71 for attachment to fitting 58 for the delivery of fluid from disposable fluid container 70.

Disposable container 70 may be tubular and made of a flexible and collapsible material, and when properly supported, capable of withstanding pressures of 5,000 psi or greater. As shown in FIG. 6, disposable container 70 may also be provided with preset fold lines 73 such that when piston 52 advances toward fitting 58 and compresses disposable container 70, disposable container 70 collapses in a predetermined manner and thereby minimizes risks of rupture. Flexible disposable fluid container 70 may further provide an input port (not visible in FIG. 6) for attachment to a port 68 of piston 52 for the introduction of fluid and gas into disposable container 70.

Alternatively, disposable container 70 may be made of a rigid plastic such that disposable container 70 does not fold or collapse within cylinder 51. One end of rigid disposable container 70 proximate to a piston is open and thereby eliminating the need for an input port for attachment to port 68 of piston 52. The open piston end of rigid disposable container 70 allows piston 52 to travel along the inner surface of rigid container 70.

Although the following description describes system 10 with flexible and collapsible disposable fluid container 70, one of ordinary skill in the art can easily adapt and apply the following description to system 10 with the use of rigid disposable container 70 or without the use of disposable fluid container 70.

In order to generate a gas-supersaturated fluid, fluid assembly 20 is removed from delivery system housing 40. Disposable container 70 is inserted into cylinder 50 such that the input port of container 70 is connected to port 68. To fill disposable container 70 with a fluid, for example physiologic saline or lactated ringers solution, a cannula connected to a fluid source, such as a syringe, is inserted through introduction barrier 66 and the fluid is introduced into disposable container 70 via the port 68.

In this exemplary embodiment, the volume of cylinder 50 and the maximum volume of disposable container 70 is approximately 1.1 liters. Preferably, fluid is introduced until disposable container 70 fills cylinder 50 are completely filled with the fluid. A small known volume of fluid, for example 0.1 liter, is removed from disposable container 70 through the cannula resulting in the same known volume of air above the fluid within disposable container 70. Thus, the volumes of fluid and air within disposable container 70 are known. In this exemplary embodiment, disposable container 70 contains approximately 1.0 liter of fluid and 0.1 liter of air.

To gas-supersaturate the fluid in disposable container 70, fluid assembly 20 is inverted such that piston 52 is below fitting 58 and at an end of cylinder 50 opposite fitting 58. A gas source is connected to the cannula in place of or in combination with the fluid source. The gas, such as oxygen, is introduced into disposable container 70 via port 68 at a pressure that is the same or slightly above the desired resultant partial pressure of the gas.

As gas bubbles flow upward through the fluid in disposable container 70, the gas is dissolved into the fluid and also displaces other previously dissolved gases in the fluid. Excess undissolved gas exits disposable fluid container 70 and cylinder 50 through fitting 58. Because of the relatively quick diffusion process due to the relatively large surface area of the gas bubbles, the process of gas-supersaturating the fluid can be completed in a short period of time. For example, with a gas flow of 5-10 standard ft³/hr in a 1.1 liter cylinder, the fluid can be gas-supersaturated in approximately 1 hour.

After gas-supersaturating the fluid to the desired gas partial pressure, the cannula is removed from introduction barrier 66. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, piston cap 72 may be attached onto cylinder 50 over piston 52. Because contents of fluid container 50 are under pressure, piston cap 72 facilitates in retaining piston 52 completely within cylinder 50 prior to returning fluid assembly 20 to delivery system housing 40. Piston cap 72 may define annular lip 73 for retaining piston 52 further within cylinder 50.

A support structure 200 (FIG. 11) for holding fluid assembly 20 may be utilized such that piston 52 can be advanced with, for example, jack 202. A variety of arrangements other than that shown schematically in FIG. 11 may be devised for this purpose. Valve 57 at fitting 58 is opened and piston 52 is advanced upward toward fitting 58 just until fluid begins to exit through the valve. Thus, the volume of gas above the fluid within disposable container 70 has been eliminated. Valve 57 is preferably a two-way valve, especially for high gas partial pressures. At lower gas partial pressures (about 15 psi), fitting 58 may be disconnected and a separate valve assembly may be connected to cylinder 50. After the volume of gas is removed, additional fluid is then added into disposable container 70, for example, with a high pressure syringe, to increase the hydrostatic pressure above the desired gas partial pressure. As an example with the system described above, pressure may be increased from 500 psi to 750-1000 psi. Alternatively, the high pressure syringe may be used instead of jack 202 to eliminate the gas space in the cylinder while maintaining the pressure. The valve is then closed to prevent further escape of fluid or gas through the valve.

It may be desirable to store the gas-supersaturated fluid in disposable container 70 under an increased hydrostatic pressure in order to dissolve or minimize the size of any bubble nuclei in the fluid and in order to store the fluid for a period of time until the fluid is to be delivered. To increase the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within disposable container 70, piston 52 can be advanced further. For example, piston 52 may be advanced until the hydrostatic pressure is increased a significant amount over the gas partial pressure. Increasing the hydrostatic pressure also helps to prevent the hydrostatic pressure from dropping below the gas partial pressure as a result of, for example, a decrease in the temperature of the fluid and therefore also helps prevent bubble nucleation.

For gas partial pressures of approximately 50 psi or less, because fluid assembly 20 can be removed from the support structure 200 and loaded into delivery system housing 40 in a relatively short period of time, for immediate delivery of the gas-supersaturated fluid, use of piston cap 72 may not be necessary. At such gas partial pressures, even without the use of piston cap 72, few bubble nuclei, if any, would form as bubble nuclei require a relatively longer period of time to form and any decrease in the hydrostatic pressure as a result of not using piston cap 72 to retain piston 52 completely within cylinder 50 would be relatively small.

After gas-supersaturating the fluid, fluid assembly 20 is removed from the support structure and returned to delivery system housing 40. Fluid assembly 20 is oriented within system housing 40 such that piston 52 is above fitting 58 and coupled to drive assembly 30 for high pressure delivery of the gas-supersaturated fluid to a desired site.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 8-9, drive assembly 30 generally comprises drive system 80 for driving ball screw 82; main bearing 84 and support bearing 86 for engaging with ball screw 82; piston pusher 88 driven by ball screw 82 for advancing piston 52 toward fitting 58; travel limit switches 90 for ensuring that piston pusher travel is within predetermined limits; and piston pusher anti-rotation plate 92 for preventing ball screw 82 from rotating piston pusher 88.

Drive system 80 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 comprises stepper motor 94 for driving high torque gear box 96 (with a gear ratio of, for example, 112:1) which drives drive gear 98 (with a gear ratio of, for example, 4:1). Drive gear 98 in turn drives main gear 100, fixably attached to ball screw 82 and ratchet wheel 102 and pawl 104. When pawl 104 engages ratchet wheel 102, pawl 104 prevents main gear 100 and piston pusher 88 from rotating in an undesired direction, even if power to system 10 is terminated. Thus, ratchet wheel 102 and pawl 104, when engaged, prevent piston pusher 88 and piston 52 from traveling upward and away from fitting 58.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, main and support bearings 84, 86 each engage and support an end of ball screw 82 near drive system 80 and near piston pusher anti-rotation plate 92, respectively. Main bearing 84 and support bearing 86 help to minimize frictional loading from direct load forces and from side load forces due to possible imperfect alignment of ball screw 82 and/or piston 52. Main bearing 84 and support bearing 86 also ensure concentric rotation of ball screw 82 even under high loads from the high pressures within cylinder 50. Having a two bearing arrangement provides superior alignment and support which allows high pressure fluid delivery to be achieved and accurately controlled without an oversized or bulky apparatus.

Piston pusher 88 comprises upper engagement portion 106 and lower split portion 108. Engagement portion 106 is annular with a threaded interior for coupling with ball screw 82 such that rotation of ball screw 82 advances piston pusher 88 either toward or away from fitting 58 depending on the direction of ball screw rotation. The use of ball screw 82 to advance piston pusher 88 also provides an accurate measure of the fluid delivery rate and the total fluid volume delivered.

Engagement portion 106 of piston pusher 88 includes flange 110 which acts as a travel limit switch activator such that functions of drive assembly 30 are terminated when flange 110 makes contact with either of two travel limit switches 90, thereby ensuring that piston pusher travel is within the predetermined limits.

As shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. 9, split portion 108 of piston pusher 88 comprises two semi-circular sections to allow piston pusher 88 to travel past support bearing 86, anti-rotation plate 92 and piston cap 72. Piston pusher anti-rotation plate 92 is fixably attached to delivery system housing 40 and provides one or more apertures 112, through which the two semi-circular sections of split portion 108 may travel. Piston pusher anti-rotation plate 92 prevents rotation of piston pusher 88 such that rotation of ball screw 82 advances piston pusher 88 either toward or away from fitting 58 depending on the direction of ball screw rotation. Piston pusher anti-rotation plate 92 may also support support bearing 86. Piston cap 72 similarly provides one or more apertures for allowing piston pusher 88 to travel past piston cap 72.

As shown in FIG. 10, to facilitate operation of system 10, a user interface is provided on front panel 120 of delivery system housing 40 for allowing a user to specify and control operating parameters and indicating to the user certain operating parameters. The user interface may include power switch 114 for supplying and cutting off power to system 10; LOAD button 115 for fluid delivery preparation by advancing piston pusher 88 until the hydrostatic pressure approximately equals the desired delivery pressure; a FLOW Age switch 116 for increasing and decreasing the fluid delivery rate; a RATCHET switch (not shown) for engaging and disengaging pawl 104 from ratchet wheel 102 to prevent or allow rotation of ball screw 82 in a direction that advances piston pusher 88 upward and away from fluid assembly 20; UNLOAD button 117 for advancing piston pusher 88 upward after disengaging pawl 104 from ratchet wheel 102; and an ALARM ACKNOWLEDGE 118 button to allow the user to acknowledge an indicated error and continue fluid delivery.

The user interface may further provide displays 119, 121 to indicate the specified delivery rate (e.g. 10.5 cc/min) and the total volume delivered (e.g. 275 cc). The user interface may also provide various lights 123 to indicate certain operating conditions of system 10.

To prepare system 10 for delivery of the gas-supersaturate fluid in fluid assembly 20, the user inputs the necessary operating parameters such as the fluid delivery rate, total fluid delivery volume, and fluid delivery pressure. The user then depresses LOAD button 115 on the user interface. By pressing LOAD button 115, piston pusher 88 advances piston 52 toward fitting 58 until the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within disposable container 70 reaches the desired delivery pressure. Such further pressurization of the fluid also serves as a final compression and stabilization of the gas-supersaturated fluid within disposable container 70. The desired delivery pressure is dependent upon the desired fluid delivery rate and the size of system fluid delivery device 122 used for fluid delivery to the desired site. Lights 123 may provide an indicator for indicating when the hydrostatic pressure has reached the desired delivery pressure.

To monitor the temperature of the fluid in cylinder 50, system 10 may provide a pair of thermistors 123 located in the interior cylindrical wall of cylinder 50. The pair of thermistors provides redundancy in order to ensure reliable and accurate monitoring of the temperature of the fluid. System 10 may further provide a heater jacket (not shown) encircling cylinder 50 to control the temperature of the fluid therein. With a pair of redundant thermistors and a heater jacket to control the temperature, system 10 provides accurate and reliable control and monitoring of the temperature of the fluid in cylinder 50. This may be especially desirable, for example, when a significant fluid flow, for example 10-50 cc/min, is delivered to a patient's coronary arteries.

System 10 may further comprise a flow meter to monitor the output flow velocity of the fluid from cylinder 50. To monitor the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid from cylinder 50, manifold 56 comprises a fluid pressure sensor. In order to prevent fluid delivery at an excessively high delivery pressure, manifold 56 may further comprise rupture disc 124 in fluid communication with the fluid to be delivered. When the fluid delivery pressure exceeds the maximum pressure rupture disc 124 withstand, rupture disc 124 ruptures. After rupture disc 124 ruptures, fluid flow to system fluid delivery device 122 for fluid delivery to the desired site terminates and fluid flow is redirected away from system 10.

Fluid flows out of cylinder 50 through housing output tubing 54 and into manifold 56. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, fluid flows out of manifold 56 via two-way flow/flush valve 126 of manifold 56. When open, two-way flow-flush valve 126 allows delivery of either the gas-supersaturated fluid or a flush fluid (such as saline) to the desired delivery site at a low fluid delivery rate. Such low delivery of a flush fluid allows a continuous fluid flow to the fluid delivery site. For example, when system 10 is utilized to deliver gas-supersaturated fluids to a patient, even when fluid delivery at the specified delivery rate is no longer necessary or desired, maintaining a continuous fluid flow may be desirable to prevent coagulation problems.

Output fluid filter 128 may be provided to filter fluid flowing from two-way valve 126. Fluid is then delivered from output fluid filter 128 to the delivery site via system fluid delivery device 122. For example, for delivery of the gas-supersaturated fluid to a patient, system fluid delivery device 122 may be an infusion device comprising a 400 cm flex spiral tubing connected to a guidewire.

The present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiments depicted and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for pressurizing a gas-enriched fluid comprising: a fluid assembly having a receptacle for holding the gas-enriched fluid, and having a piston adapted to travel within the receptacle to contain the gas-enriched fluid within the receptacle, the piston comprising: a seal adapted to seal the piston within the receptacle; a port extending through the piston; a valve operatively arranged relative to the port to permit introduction of the gas-enriched fluid into the receptacle; and a drive assembly adapted to advance the piston within the receptacle to pressurize gas-supersaturated fluid within the receptacle.
 2. The system, as set forth in clam 1, wherein the receptacle is cylindrical.
 3. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a check valve, the check valve having a valve seat, a ball, and a spring, the spring biasing the ball toward the valve seat.
 4. The system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the piston comprises an actuator being moveable in a first direction to move the ball away from the valve seat and being moveable in a second direction to move the ball into contact with the valve seat.
 5. The system, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the gas-enriched fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the actuator moves the ball in the first direction.
 6. The system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the gas-enriched fluid may the gas-enriched fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the gas-enriched fluid overcomes the force of the spring to move the ball away from the valve seat.
 7. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the port is adapted to accept a cannula for the introduction of the gas-enriched fluid into the receptacle.
 8. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a piston cap which retains the piston within the receptacle.
 9. The system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the check valve prevents the gas-enriched fluid from escaping from the receptacle.
 10. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a high pressure seal disposed about a peripheral portion of the piston.
 11. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein drive assembly comprises a drive screw and a piston pusher, the piston pusher being disposed on the drive screw and being moveable along the drive screw and into contact with the piston in response to rotation of the drive screw.
 12. The system, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor being drivingly coupled to a gear box, the gear box being operably coupled to the drive screw to cause rotation of the drive screw.
 13. The system, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a housing, the fluid assembly and the drive assembly being disposed in the housing.
 14. The system, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a display coupled to the system to indicate given operating parameters to a user.
 15. The system, as set forth in claim 1, comprising a control panel coupled to the system to input given operating parameters into the system.
 16. A system for pressurizing fluid comprising: a rotatable power screw having a first end and a second end; a piston pusher traveling on the power screw in response to rotation thereof, the piston pusher having a collar portion engaging the power screw and a depending portion extending from the collar portion along the power screw; a support plate located adjacent the first end of the power screw, the support plate having an aperture configured to pass the depending portion of the piston pusher therethrough; a fluid receptacle disposed on an opposite side of the support plate from the power screw; and a piston disposed in the fluid receptacle, the piston being slidable within the fluid receptacle in response to a force exerted on the piston by the depending portion of the piston pusher, the piston comprising: a seal adapted to seal the piston within the receptacle; a port extending through the piston; and a valve operatively arranged relative to the port to permit introduction of the fluid into the receptacle.
 17. The system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the valve comprises a check valve, the check valve having a valve seat, a ball, and a spring, the spring biasing the ball toward the valve seat.
 18. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the piston comprises an actuator being moveable in a first direction to move the ball away from the valve seat and being moveable in a second direction to move the ball into contact with the valve seat.
 19. The system, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the actuator moves the ball in the first direction.
 20. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the fluid overcomes the force of the spring to move the ball away from the valve seat.
 21. The system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the port is adapted to accept a cannula for the introduction of the fluid into the receptacle.
 22. The system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the receptacle comprises a retainer which retains the piston within the receptacle.
 23. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the check valve prevents the fluid from escaping from the receptacle.
 24. The system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the seal comprises a high pressure seal disposed about a peripheral portion of the piston.
 25. The system, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the retainer comprises a piston cap.
 26. The system, as set forth in claim 16, comprising a motor being drivingly coupled to a gear box, the gear box being operably coupled to the power screw to cause rotation of the power screw.
 27. The system, as set forth in claim 16, comprising a display coupled to the system to indicate given operating parameters to a user.
 28. The system, as set forth in claim 16, comprising a control panel coupled to the system to input given operating parameters into the system.
 29. A method for introducing gas-enriched fluid into a high pressure vessel comprising the acts of: (a) providing a receptacle having a piston therein, the piston comprising a seal adapted to seal the piston within the receptacle, a port extending through the piston, and a valve operatively arranged relative to the port to permit introduction of the fluid into the receptacle; and (b) delivering gas-enriched fluid into the receptacle through the valve and the port in the piston.
 30. The method, as set forth in claim 29, comprising the act of: advancing a piston to pressurize the gas-enriched fluid within the receptacle.
 31. The method, as set forth in claim 30, further comprising a method of delivering the gas-enriched fluid comprising the acts of: delivering the pressurized gas-enriched fluid to a delivery site; and advancing the piston during delivery to continue to pressurize the gas-enriched fluid within the receptacle.
 32. The method, as set forth in claim 29, wherein the valve comprises a check valve, the check valve having a valve seat and a valve body, and wherein the piston comprises an actuator being moveable in a first direction to move the valve body away from the valve seat and being moveable in a second direction to move the valve body into contact with the valve seat, wherein act (a) comprises the act of: moving the actuator in the first direction to move the valve body away from the valve seat.
 33. The method, as set forth in claim 32, wherein act (b) comprises the act of: introduced the gas-enriched fluid into the receptacle through the piston when the actuator moves the ball in the first direction.
 34. The method, as set forth in claim 29, wherein the valve comprises a check valve, the check valve having a valve seat, a valve body, and a spring, wherein act (b) comprises the act of: introducing the gas-enriched fluid into the receptacle (through the piston when the fluid overcomes the force of the spring to move the valve body away from the valve seat.
 35. The method, as set forth in claim 29, wherein act (a) comprises the act of placing the receptacle within a fluid assembly of a fluid pressurization and delivery system.
 36. The method, as set forth in claim 30, wherein the act of advancing the piston creates gas-supersaturated fluid in the receptacle.
 37. The method, as set forth in claim 30, wherein the act of advancing the piston comprises the act of driving a piston pusher into contact with the piston.
 38. The method, as set forth in claim 37, wherein the act of driving a piston pusher comprises the act of controllably rotating a power screw coupled to the piston pusher.
 39. The method, as set forth in claim 29, wherein act (b) comprises the act of advancing the piston until hydrostatic pressure of the gas-enriched fluid reaches a given pressure.
 40. A container for gas-supersaturated fluid comprising: a receptacle for holding gas-supersaturated fluid, the receptacle having a port therein; and a piston slidably disposed within the receptacle, the piston comprising: a seal adapted to seal the piston within the receptacle; a port extending through the piston; and a valve operatively arranged relative to the port to permit introduction of the fluid into the receptacle.
 41. The container, as set forth in claim 40, wherein the valve comprises a check valve, the check valve having a valve seat, a valve body, and a spring, the spring biasing the valve body toward the valve seat.
 42. The container, as set forth in claim 41, wherein the fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the fluid overcomes the force of the spring to move the valve body away from the valve seat.
 43. The container, as set forth in claim 41, wherein the valve comprises a valve seat and a valve body, and wherein the piston comprises an actuator being moveable in a first direction to move the valve body away from the valve seat and being moveable in a second direction to move the valve body into contact with the valve seat.
 44. The container, as set forth in claim 43, wherein the fluid may be introduced into the receptacle through the piston when the actuator moves the valve body in the first direction.
 45. The container, as set forth in claim 40, wherein the port is adapted to accept a cannula for the introduction of the fluid into the receptacle.
 46. The container, as set forth in claim 40, wherein the receptacle comprises a retainer which retains the piston within the receptacle.
 47. The container, as set forth in claim 41, wherein the check valve prevents the fluid from escaping from the receptacle.
 48. The container, as set forth claim 40, wherein the seal comprises a high pressure seal disposed about a peripheral portion of the piston.
 49. The container, as set forth in claim 46, wherein the retainer comprises a piston cap.
 50. The container, as set forth in claim 40, wherein the piston comprises a threaded annular recess.
 51. The container, as set forth in claim 50, comprising a piston handle adapted to thread to the threaded annular recess of the piston. 